After decades of Airmen updating emergency contact information in
their personnel records, everyone is now required to update the
information online rather than visiting their military personnel flight.

Effective immediately, personnel flight officials are no longer
required to print and file a paper copy of the Virtual Record of
Emergency Data form in each Airman's personnel records, officials
said. The paperless form provides the Air Force with information needed
to contact family members if an Airman suffers a serious illness or
injury or dies while on active duty.

The vRED, which replaced the Department of Defense Form 93, Record
of Emergency Data, in 2003, is required to be kept updated by each
Airman, including Reservists. Now the only way to update the emergency
data is to visit the virtual MPF online.

Airmen who do not have access to a vMPF account, such as new
accessions or basic trainees, must still complete a DD Form 93 until
they establish an online account, said Maj. Yancey Cowen, chief of the
Casualty Services Branch at the Air Force Personnel Center, Randolph Air
Force Base, Texas.

"The biggest advantage is convenience," he said.
"Airmen won't have to stand in line at the MPF to make simple
changes to their contact information."

Airmen are required to keep their vREDs current at all times and
review their contact data at least annually, Major Cowen said. Also,
every Airman must review his or her vRED during inprocessing and before
all deployments.

"Accurate and current family contact information can prevent
delays in notifications and perhaps benefits for Airmen and family
members," Major Cowen said.

Personnel officials encourage all active-duty Airmen, Guardsmen and
Reservists to update their information every six months. The online
application takes about 15 minutes to complete.

For more information, visit www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/vs/ to log
into vMPF or to establish an account. (Air Force Print News courtesy of
AFPC News Service)

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